The Community Development Ministry is claiming that people opposed to its Financial Assistance Programme were engaging in racial divisiveness.
This is contained in a statement from the ministry yesterday. This followed publication of the names of some of the recipients of financial assistance under the programme. "In spite of the wishes of those in pursuit of racial divisiveness, the ministry will continue to champion its Vision 2020 Developmental Pillars of Nurturing a Caring Society and Developmental an Innovative People by granting financial assistance to promoting young students in need," it said. The ministry said it "does not grant scholarships of any kind. It added that the programme "is not and has never been a 'cultural fund.'"
The ministry said the objectives of the programme were:
�2 to provide awards to people who require financial assistance for tertiary education and who can demonstrate financial need in respect of study/training expenses.
�2 to build human capability within communities that are not tied to or restricted by the traditional criteria and selection process for such assistance.
�2 to be a catalyst for improving and developing communities viable and sustainable units for families and family life.
Eligibility for assistance
�2 Applications will only be accepted from T&T citizens who hold a valid ID Card or passport.
�2 The programme being pursued must be relevant to the needs of the community or the country.
�2 Consideration will be given for local, regional or overseas studies/training.
�2 Only students enrolled in a full or part-time programme of study/training will be eligible.
�2 Programmes of study/training must be pursued at accredited or approved institutions.